The Senator's Dilemma
Idea from the deleted scene "A Stirring in the Senate" from Episode III
"Now that he has control of the Jedi Council the Chancellor has appointed Governors to oversee all Star Systems in the republic," Senator Organa stated, his hands waving down the gold droid for refreshments.
"When did this happen?"
"Well that decree was posted this morning," Organa looked to his right at Padme.
"Do you think he'll disbar the Senate?" Padme asked in disbelief.
"Why bother," Mon Mothma started plainly, "as a practical matter the Senate no longer exists.
"The constitution is in shreds, amendment after amendment!"
"We cannot let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight." Bail Organa stated as his hands gestured.
"What are you suggesting?"
"Suggesting, sorry I do not mean to sound like a Seperatist," Bail Organa stated. The Seperatist caused this blight on Democracy; he knew the risks of sounding like them.
"We are not Seperatist trying to leave the republic," Mon Mothma continued, "We are loyalist trying to preserve democracy and the republic."
"I can't believe it has come to this," Padme said shakily, "Chancellor Palpatine is one of my oldest advisors, he served as my ambassador when I was Queen."
"Senator, I fear you underestimate the amount of corruption that has taken hold in the Senate."
"The Chancellor has played the Senators well," Mon Mothma sympathetical put, "They know where the power lies and they will do whatever it takes to get their share in it."
"And, we cannot continuing debating about this any longer," Bail stressed as he rose to his feet. "We have decided to do what we can to stop it, Senator Mon Mothma and I are putting together an organization-"
"Say no more Senator I understand," Padme spoke up. "At this point some things are better left unsaid."
"Agreed." Bail nodded. "But we will not discuss this with anyone, without everyone in this group agreeing."
"That means those closest to you," Mon Mothma interjected. "Even family, no one can be told."
"Agreed." Padme stated staring at her friend
Chapter 1: The spark of rebellion
Three years, she thought, three years of the bloodiest war this galaxy has seen in a millennium.
It was for what she had feared, the norm. The Senate no longer has any power to change that. In the first meeting with the loyalists of the republic they had decided to do whatever it takes to keep democracy afloat. So far nothing of significance on their end had happened. But another blow by the Chancellors pen had led the rag tag group to another meeting this time in Padme's apartment.
"We cannot let this lead us to another war," she was frustrated and worried about Anakin still on the outer rim fighting yet another damn siege.
"Absolutely, that is the last thing we want-" Bail started.
"We are hoping to form an alliance with the senate, we have 2000 willing and able to sign a petition to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution that's all." Mon Mothma pled to her fellow senators.
"It's not enough, I know a Jedi that we should consult." Padme urged.
"That will be dangerous we don't know how the Jedi fit into any of this."
"I only wish to discuss this with one, one who I've known for years and trust with my life."
"Going against the chancellor without the Jedi is risky." another senator stated.
"Trust me the Jedi are no happier about this than we are," Padme got up and looked at her fellow senators. "We are short on time to wait, if we don't trust the full Jedi council then we should at least talk to one."
"Who do you have in mind?" Bail Organa looked at the Naboo Senator.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Reaching Obi-Wan was harder than she expected. Initially she had thought about asking her husband but realized all of the times he had defended the Chancellor. In some regards Palpatine wasn't just her mentor, but Anakin's too. She needed someone who was unbiased and someone who knew the risks of this and could bring it to the order discreetly. Obi-Wan was the perfect choice. He was wise and on the council making it easy for him to get input of other members.
She knew that the outer rim sieges were taking most of the Master Jedi's time. She had just spoken to Anakin about them. Still it was unlike Obi-Wan to not respond.
"Padme, turn on your holonet," Bail exclaimed as he entered her office.
She turned it on and saw the news, The Chancellor being held captive by the Separatist in red and bolded at the top.
"My god," she stated.
"I just spoke with Yoda. He's looking at the dead guards, it looks like a sith lord killed them and took the Chancellor."
"Well," she sighed, "Its not the first time." As she thought back to 1 year prior when the Chancellor was almost abducted at a Nabooian festival.
"Only this time they succeeded."
"Who are they sending on the rescue mission? Did Master Yoda say." She tried to sound nonchalant.
"Kenobi and Skywalker are the ones who are the closest they were in space when it happened. But it sounds like several are en route."
Padme hated hearing her husband's name but had grown accustomed to him being on the front lines. War made you accept certain terrible realities on a regular basis.
The Senate's work was suspended, due to the kidnapping. Padme watched the news for hours with Bail and Mon Mothma wondering what rights they had to wake up without tomorrow.
The recovery had gone smoothly, and word that the Chancellor, Master Kenobi and Ani were enroute back to Coruscant hit quickly. Instead of meeting her husband at their normal spot. She trekked down a few levels to Dex's Dinner hoping to catch Obi-Wan indulging on his great post battle past time.
Like any creature of habit he was sipping away on his Jawa juice reading the holo net. She squeezed into the table on the opposite side noting that her pregnancy was making it harder.
"Padme," he didn't look up, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need to talk to you, alone."
"Is something wrong with Anakin?" the Master's eyes shot up to look at her.
"No, but it's something that we need to discuss without prying ears. Can you meet me at my senate office at 22:00?"
"But the senate won't be in session that late."
"Exactly."
Like clockwork, Obi-Wan had arrived at 21:45. He entered and saw several eyes staring at him. "Senators he stated, I must confess that if you are asking for political advice that I am probably the worst person to ask but I'll try my best."
"Obi-Wan, please sit." Bail said warmly, he always liked Master Kenobi, he was easy to get along with, he understood his role and treated clones better than other Jedi Master's that he saw on the field. "We need to talk and we ask that you approach this with open ears." Bail looked at Padme willing her to start.
Padme detailed the concerns of the group. Obi-Wan tugged at his beard as he spoke.
"I'll be honest Senators, the Council has had the same concerns for quite a while but we are afraid to act alone. If we can combine our forces we can oversee a peaceful transition of power. I agree with Padme. Chancellor Palpatine has been in office far long enough. But for us to do this right we need the council to know. Discreetly. I can talk to Master Yoda for guidance. He is the one I trust the most in this. I agree that we can not tell another soul. Not until we have a new Chancellor in office." Obi-Wan shifted in his seat and met Padme's eyes. "There is another problem, the Chancellor appointed himself a representative on our council."
"He can do that?" Bail asked.
"No, but he did it." Obi-Wan sighed and moved his hand to his chin, "I don't know what the Chancellor's long game is but the power vacuum that this war has created… it's not stopping."
"Who did he put on the council?" Padme asked
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly.
"Why would he put Master Skywalker on the council?" Bail asked shifting in his seat to pick up his drink.
"Anakin had always been close to the Chancellor," Obi Wan started to pace around the room. "Ever since Anakin was a boy Sheev Palpatine paid close attention. In Anakin's mind the Chancellor is his mentor, his friend."
"Can we trust that Master Skywalker, if he heard this in a council meeting, would tell the Chancellor?" Mon Mothma inquired.
"Yes-"
"-no," Obi-Wan and Padme said at the same time. Padme shifted looking away from Obi-Wan's questioning eyes. "I'm afraid that Ani knew he in his loyalty to the Chancellor would not believe us, not even you Obi-Wan."
"Okay so how do we precede, Master Kenobi?" Bail asked.
"I'll meet with Master Yoda and Master Windu, we'll reconvene at dawn and strategize further action."
Dawn could not come soon enough.